NCHRP’S Role in Maintaining AASHTO Guidelines and Specifications
NCHRP 20-07 Problem Statement
2/16/2016
Objective
The objective of this study is to document the process currently used to update manuals
and guides and to make recommendations for needed improvements (including
appropriate funding sources).
Background:
Many of the current AASHTO guidelines and specifications are a result of research
conducted in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). After
these products have been in use for a number of years, they may require additional
research to incorporate the current state of knowledge or practice or additional work may
have been completed that should be incorporated into the AASHTO product. Concerns
have been raised over the timeliness of updates and over the “piecemeal” approach to
updating manuals.
In the process of developing its strategic plan, SCOH has formed a working group on
Research and Emerging Technologies. This working group has recognized the need to
track updates to specifications and manuals and the need to update manuals. The SCOH
Strategic Plan tasks all SCOH subcommittees to review all specifications and manuals
with respect for need to update and seeks to document the implementation of
improvements to technical standards and recommendations to update manuals.
The responsible AASHTO committee will often submit problem statements to the
NCHRP for research to update the products. For the larger products, it is not uncommon
to update one or more sections at a time. When reviewing these problem statements, the
AASHTO Standing Committee on Research finds it difficult to make rational funding
decisions without a full understanding of the long-term updating costs that will be
needed. There is also a question of whether funding requests to support AASHTO
guidelines and specifications should be treated differently than other research problem
statements. Finally, when the NCHRP research is completed, there are often additional
costs related to the AASHTO balloting process and any subsequent revisions that are
required as a result. SCOR has requested that the AASHTO subcommittees prioritize
their research needs and provide full disclosure on multiyear tasks and plans for multi
phased studies. In addition, it is not clear that NCHRP should be used as the funding
source if the updates do not require additional research or represent a small portion of the
update.
Statement of Principle:
The NCHRP is commonly referred to as “AASHTO’s Research Program”. It has state
DOT participation in all stages and aspects of the program, from funding, problem
statement solicitation, selection of projects, development of requests for proposals,
NCHRP’S Role in Maintaining AASHTO Guidelines and Specifications
NCHRP 20-07 Problem Statement
2/16/2016
selection of contractors, and review of reports, to the implementation of results. State
DOTs rely on AASHTO guidelines and specifications to conduct their business in an
effective and efficient manner. NCHRP is therefore an appropriate mechanism to fund
research needed to keep AASHTO guidelines and specifications up to date.
Tasks
The following tasks are suggested to document the process currently used to update
manuals and guides and to make recommendations for needed improvements.
1. Conduct independent review of the current processes
2. Flowchart the processes
3. Query AASHTO Subcommittees on existing manuals and determine which ones
require periodic updates
4. Review the practices of similar organizations/associations to determine common
or best practices.
5. Develop recommendations and guidance to subcommittees to improve timeliness
of updates and to ensure updates are more effectively planned and not done
piecemeal. Consideration should be given to appropriate funding sources.
Cost Estimate $10,000
NOTE: The work described should be primarily a staff effort, AASHTO and TRB, and
perhaps FHWA. However, a consultant could help develop the background (as is
essentially described in the write-up) and help facilitate staff discussions in the
development of final recommendations to SCOH and others.
Issues
Some of the questions/issues to be addressed by this study:
What is frequency of updates?
What is the time between completion of research and development of AASHTO manual
update?
Should the actual re-write of an AASHTO product be considered as a task in the research
study or addressed separately?
How can updated results be put into practice prior to the manual update?
When is it a research effort and when is it an editorial effort?
What are estimated costs for updates?
How many years will frequent updates be needed?
How can subcommittees best plan for updates?
What is the estimated life of new and existing manuals?
What are other options for funding updates (Direct bill to State DOT’s, etc.)?
NCHRP’S Role in Maintaining AASHTO Guidelines and Specifications
NCHRP 20-07 Problem Statement
2/16/2016
Appendix A:
AASHTO Guidelines and Specifications
July 2009
1.
Guide Specifications for Bridges Vulnerable to Coastal Storms
2.
Guide Specifications for Bridges Vulnerable to Coastal Storms, Single User
Digital Publication
3.
Bridge Welding Code, 2009 AASHTO Interim
4.
Guide for Commonly Recognized Structural Elements
5.
Guide for Commonly Recognized Structural Elements, Single User Digital
Publication
6.
A Policy on Design Standards---Interstate System, 5th Edition, Single User
Digital Publication
7.
Guide for Achieving Flexibility in Highway Design, 1st Edition
8.
Guide for Achieving Flexibility in Highway Design, 1st Edition, Single User
Digital
9.
Guide for Accommodating Utilities within Highway Right-of-Way, 4th Edition
10.
A Guide for Accommodating Utilities within Highway Right-of-Way, 4th
Edition, Single User Digital Publication
11.
Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, 3rd Edition
12.
Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, 3rd Edition, Single-User CDROM
13.
Guide for Contracting, Selecting, and Managing Consultants in Preconstruction
Engineering, 3rd Edition, Single User Digital Publication
14.
A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, 5th Edition
15.
A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, 5th Edition, Single-User
CD-ROM
16.
AASHTO Guide Specifications for Horizontally Curved Steel Girder Highway
Bridges with Design Examples for I-Girder and Box-Girder Bridges
17.
Guide for High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Facilities, 3rd Edition
NCHRP’S Role in Maintaining AASHTO Guidelines and Specifications
NCHRP 20-07 Problem Statement
2/16/2016
18.
Guide for High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Facilities, 3rd Edition, Single User
Digital
19.
Roadway Lighting Design Guide
20.
Roadway Lighting Design Guide, Single User Digital Publication
21.
A Guide for Methods and Procedures in Contract Maintenance, 2nd Edition
22.
A Guide for Methods and Procedures in Contract Maintenance, 2nd Edition,
Single User Digital Publication
23.
AASHTO Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities,
1st Edition
24.
AASHTO Guide for the Planning, Design and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities,
1st Edition, Single-User CD-ROM
25.
Guide for Park-and-Ride Facilities, 2nd
26.
Guide Design Specifications for Bridge Temporary Works, 1st Edition, 2008
Interim Revisions
27.
Guide Design Specifications for Bridge Temporary Works, 1st Edition, 2008
Interim Revisions, Single User Digital Publication
28.
Guide Specifications for Design and Construction of Segmental Concrete Bridges,
2nd Edition
29.
Guide Specifications for Design and Construction of Segmental Concrete Bridges,
2nd Edition, Single User Digital Publication
30.
AASHTO Guide Specifications - Thermal Effects in Concrete Bridge
Superstructures, 1st Edition, Single User Digital Publication
31.
Guide Specifications for Design of FRP Pedestrian Bridges, 1st Edition, 2008
32.
Guide Specifications for Design of FRP Pedestrian Bridges, 1st Edition, 2008,
Single User Digital Publication
33.
Guide Specifications for Design of Pedestrian Bridges, 1st Edition, Single User
Digital Publication
34.
Guidelines for the Selection of Supplemental Guide Signs for Traffic Generators
Adjacent to Freeways, 4th Edition
35.
Guidelines for the Selection of Supplemental Guide Signs for Traffic Generators
Adjacent to Freeways, 4th Edition, Single User Digital Publication
NCHRP’S Role in Maintaining AASHTO Guidelines and Specifications
NCHRP 20-07 Problem Statement
2/16/2016
36.
Guide Specifications for Highway Construction, 9th Edition
37.
Guide Specifications for Highway Construction, 9th Edition, Single User Digital
Publication
38.
Guide to Standardized Highway Drainage Products, Single User Digital
Publication
39.
Guide for Snow and Ice Control
40.
Guide for Snow and Ice Control, Single User Digital Publication
41.
Guide Specifications for Seismic Isolation Design, 2nd Edition and 2000 Interim
42.
Guide Specifications for Structural Design of Sound Barriers, 2002 Interim
43.
Guide Specifications for Structural Design of Sound Barriers, 2002 Interim,
Single User Digital Publication
44.
Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions, 4th edition
45.
Guide on Evaluation and Abatement of Traffic Noise
46.
Guide on Evaluation and Abatement of Traffic Noise, Single User Digital
47.
Guide Specifications and Commentary for Vessel Collision Design of Highway
Bridges, 2nd Edition
48.
Guide Specifications and Commentary for Vessel Collision Design of Highway
Bridges, 2nd Edition, Single User Digital Publication
49.
Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition
50.
Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, Network CD-ROM
51.
A Guide for Transportation Landscape and Environmental Design, 2nd Edition
52.
A Guide for Transportation Landscape and Environmental Design, 2nd Edition,
Single User Digital Publication
53.
Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials and Methods of Sampling
and Testing, 29th Edition and AASHTO Provisional Standards, 2009 Edition
54.
Standard Specifications for Transportation and Methods of Sampling and Testing,
29th Edition, and Provisional Standards, 2009 Edition, single-user CD-ROM
55.
Hazardous Waste Guide for Project Development, 1st Edition
56.
Hazardous Waste Guide for Project Development, 1st Edition, Single User Digital
Publication
57.
A Guide to Standardized Highway Lighting Pole Hardware
NCHRP’S Role in Maintaining AASHTO Guidelines and Specifications
NCHRP 20-07 Problem Statement
2/16/2016
58.
A Guide to Standardized Highway Lighting Pole Hardware, Single User Digital
Publication
59.
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications
60.
AASHTO LRFD Movable Highway Bridge Design Specifications, 2nd Edition
with 2008 Interim Revisions
61.
Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge Design, 1st Edition
62.
Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge Design, 1st Edition, Single User
Digital Publication
63.
Bridge Design Specifications, SI Units, 4th Edition
64.
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Customary U.S. Units, 4th
Edition, with 2008 and 2009 Interim Revisions
65.
Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires
and Traffic Signals, 5th Edition
66.
Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires
and Traffic Signals, 5th Edition, Single User Digital Publication
67.
Manual for Bridge Evaluation, 1st Edition
68.
Manual for Bridge Evaluation, 1st Edition, Single User Digital Publication
69.
Manual for Condition Evaluation of Bridges, 2nd Edition, 2003 Interim, Single
User Digital Publication
70.
Model Drainage Manual, 3rd Edition, CD-ROM
71.
Standard Specifications for Movable Highway Bridges
72.
AASHTO Maintenance Manual for Roadways and Bridges, 4th Edition
73.
AASHTO Maintenance Manual for Roadways and Bridges, 4th Edition, Single
User Digital Publication
74.
Guidelines for Maintenance Management Systems, 1st Edition
75.
Guidelines for Maintenance Management Systems, 1st Edition, Single User
Digital Publication
76.
Manual on Subsurface Investigations, 1st Edition, Single User Digital Publication
77.
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 3rd Edition, Perfect Bound
78.
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 3rd Edition, CD-ROM
79.
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 3rd Edition, Looseleaf and Binder
NCHRP’S Role in Maintaining AASHTO Guidelines and Specifications
NCHRP 20-07 Problem Statement
2/16/2016
80.
Steel Bridge Fabrication Guide Specification, S 2.1 - 2002
81.
Steel Bridge Fabrication QC/QA Guide Specification, S 4.1 - 2002
82.
Shop Detail Drawing Presentation Guidelines, G 1.3 - 2002
83.
National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol (NTCIP)
84.
Pavement Deflection Data Exchange: Technical Data Guide, Single User Digital
Publication
85.
Pavement Management Guide, 1st Edition, Single User Digital Publication
86.
AASHTO Provisional Standards, 2009 Edition
87.
Guide to Quality in Preconstruction Engineering, 1st Edition
88.
Guide to Quality in Preconstruction Engineering, 1st Edition, Single User Digital
Publication
89.
Roadside Design Guide, 3rd Edition, Text with RSAP CD-ROMs and 2006
Chapter 6 Update
90.
Roadside Design Guide Chapter Six Update
91.
Guide Specifications for Strength Design of Truss Bridges (Load Factor Design),
Single User Digital Publication
92.
Highway Safety Design and Operations Guide, 3rd Edition
93.
A Guide for the Development of Rest Areas on Major Arterials and Freeways, 3rd
Edition
94.
Guidelines and Guide Specifications for Using Pozzolanic Stabilized Mixture
(Base Course or Subbase) and Fly Ash for In-Place Subgrade Soil Modifications
95.
Guidelines and Guide Specifications for Using Pozzolanic Stabilized Mixture
(Base Course or Subbase) and Fly Ash for In-Place Subgrade Soil Modifications,
Single User Digital Publication
96.
Guide Specifications for Cathodic Protection of Concrete Bridge Decks
97.
Guide Specifications for Cathodic Protection of Concrete Bridge Decks, Single
User Digital Publication
98.
Guide Specifications for Concrete Overlay of Pavements and Bridge Decks,
Single User Digital Publication
99.
Guide Specifications for Polymer Modified Asphalt
NCHRP’S Role in Maintaining AASHTO Guidelines and Specifications
NCHRP 20-07 Problem Statement
2/16/2016
100. Guide Specifications for Polymer Modified Asphalt, Single User Digital
Publication
101.
Manual for Corrosion Protection of Concrete Components in Bridges
102.
Manual for Corrosion Protection of Concrete Components in Bridges, Single User
Digital Publication
103.
Guide Specifications for Polymer Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays
104.
Guide Specifications for Polymer Concrete Bridge Deck Overlays, Single User
Digital Publication
105.
Guide Specifications for Shotcrete Repair of Highway Bridges
106.
Guide Specifications for Shotcrete Repair of Highway Bridges, Single User
Digital Publication
107.
Policy on Land Use and Source Control Aspects of Traffic Noise Attenuation,
Single User Digital Publication
108.
A Manual of User Benefit Analysis for Highways, 2nd Edition
109.
Guidelines for Value Engineering, 2nd Edition
110.
Guidelines for Value Engineering, 2nd Edition, Single User Digital Publication
111.
Guidelines for Geometric Design of Very Low-Volume Local Roads (ADT ≤
400), 1st Edition
112.
Guidelines for Geometric Design of Very Low-Volume Local Roads (ADT ≤
400), 1st Edition, Single User Digital Publication
113.
Guide to Wetland Mitigation Issues for Transportation Designers
114.
Guide to Wetland Mitigation Issues for Transportation Designers, Single User
Digital Publication